Saturday, November 16, 2013

Firstly, I want to say thank you to everyone who has flashed over the course of the last forty-two weeks. I've been continually amazed at the strength of the writing we've had, week by week. There are a lot of talented writers around and it's been a privilege to read your words. I hope #fanficflashfic has provided you with some inspiration and some fun - both as writers and readers. I know more than one of you have continued various flashes into longer stories, and that's just amazing.

Secondly, this will be the end of #fanficflashfic … for a little while. With NaNoWriMo keeping people busy, and the holiday season approaching so quickly, I've decided to take a break for a while.

Thirdly, assuming there's enough interest, #fanficflashfic will start back up in January. I'll be looking forward to seeing all the words roll in once more.

Cheers, lovely writer-friends.

Shell x

Thank you to this week's judge, @sandyquill.@AnnaLund2011 - HONORABLE MENTION:Using the ocean as a symbol of the foreverness is beautiful. It totally works for me in terms of the quote and the image.

@ladylibre - The ending here surprised me! I was thinking it was so sad - I have had to say goodbye to loved ones and it hurts - and then it really IS painful seeing as how the “Other” in this is marrying elsewhere. What a painful backstory must be here!

@jdifrans - This one is so quiet...but so busy and filled with the questions and uncertainties. I hope they get answered!

@Pinkcookie - FIRST PLACE:

I really enjoyed how you used the prompts and the emotive quality you assigned to each. “Now, I watch as you slowly peel it and silently feed us slices one by one. You’ve done this same little thing for us hundreds of times.” - This is a forever composed of nows. I really like it. :)

@moonlit__girl - HONORABLE MENTION:

This one just made me smile. A lot. I read it over more than once and kept smiling. “Seventeen.” I can see more meetings in the future… but I kind of hope they try something daring and email. :)

@bkhchicka - Wow. I am cringing here, and many kudos to you for going in this headspace. “But decisions alter what forever looks like. “ This is SO true and should have its own quote prompt.

…

Congratulations, Pinkcookie.

Thank you to @sandyquill for judging, and to everyone who participated.

Leave your entry as a comment - include your word count, and your twitter handle if you have one.

Probably good practice to reference any source material, too.

FYI - entries that exceed (or are under) the word limits will not be considered by the judge.

Also, I've had a few questions lately regarding the submission of more than one entry. Yes, you may submit more than one flashfic. I'm going to say a maximum of two (2) entries though. Furthermore, they're not to be continuations, or related to each other in any way -- they need to be completely separate, stand alone entries.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Here's what @moonlit__girl had to say about this week's entries...@sandyquill - First Place. I love the snapshot you painted here. You write such a great description of the picture: “After all the agitation, the flurry of activity, Mellie sagged against the forgiving cushions in the train, her head lolling to one side. Not seeing the landscape slide past her gaze, she gave the bare appearance of engaging with the scenery” This could be the beginning, middle, or end of a story, and I found my self wanting to read more.@ladylibre - (Clickety-clack) I like how you used the noise of the train to give rhythm to the poem. These lines in particular were great: “Glorious she gave/ Greedy I took/ Sweeping, seeping, and soft /The coda of a farewell song” Well done.@AnnaLund2011 - The beginning of this is lovely. The way you describe her breathing in the first few lines is perfect. I can almost hear her. “Finally I can draw real breaths, and not those nervous, little tip-of-my-lungs-short-sniffs I’ve been taking the last fifteen years.” Nicely done.@Pinkcookie - You had such a great start here! I loved the thought of her sitting on train after train with no plan, just to get far away. “Clickety-clack, I miss you so. Clickety-clack, I love you so. Clickety-clack, what a sad sack. Clickety-clack, I want you back.” And then I found myself saying Noooooo, what is she doing! I think it might have been a stronger ending if you had ended it with “I jump into the snow.”@Sherbert20111 - This one lends itself to being read out loud. My favorite part was this: “Who will be there/ When we get there/Nobody we know/Nobody/We know/ Tickety ticket/ Clickety click” Poor girl got herself stuck in the same situation again; I love how you cycled it back to end the same way it began. @PinkCookie - Honorable Mention. This one shocked the hell out of me, I didn’t see it coming at all. The words you chose are straightforward and pack a punch. Love the Viewmaster reference. I might have ended it with “I let myself fall.’ Nice job.

...

Congratulations @sandyquill!

Thank you to @moonlit__girl for judging, and to everyone who participated.

Leave your entry as a comment - include your word count, and your twitter handle if you have one.

Probably good practice to reference any source material, too.

FYI - entries that exceed (or are under) the word limits will not be considered by the judge.

Also, I've had a few questions lately regarding the submission of more than one entry. Yes, you may submit more than one flashfic. I'm going to say a maximum of two (2) entries though. Furthermore, they're not to be continuations, or related to each other in any way -- they need to be completely separate, stand alone entries.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Not so much advice as the support of people I love and respect. Them telling me they believed in me and that I could do this was huge. I never did any kind of creative writing until getting into the fanfic world, so I really needed that push. It's amazing what a well timed "You can do this" from some truly talented authors can do.

2. The first and last books you fell in love with?

Oh my goodness. I've been a reader all of my life so this is tough. As a kid, it would have been "The Little Princess". As an adult, the first I fell in love with was "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving and I love it to this day. In fact, I think I'm due for a reread. The last was probably "Cursed Be the Wicked" by the lovely J.R. Richardson, but that's not out yet. I was lucky enough to have read it early and holy wow did I love it. I highly recommend both to everyone looking for a book that you totally sink into and have the world around you fall away.

3. What's happening outside the nearest window?

Um, the Barclay's Bank office cafeteria across the street from my office seems to have hit its mid morning lull. LOL

4. There's a rubber stamp mark on your hand. What does it say?

Talk to her.

5. Suppose you could travel to any place in time and history. When and where are you going?

Gah. Hard question. Rather than go with the epic, I'm going to go with the personal. I'd go back to around 1986 and get myself into therapy when I was an angry, depressed teenager rather than deal with the fallout now. Obviously, there's a reason that I connected to that picture prompt immediately and so strongly. It really did take my breath away once I saw what the words said. Kudos to Mags for finding such a great image that I honestly want framed and hanging on my wall.

@moonlit__girl - First Place

Gorgeous. Just flat out gorgeous. I loved the imagery and I could imagine the emotions that went along with each of her different walls. The author took the picture prompt and just ran with it in the best of ways. It was all I could ask for in an entry and more.

@jdifrans - Third Place

This was so hard to read but really well written and an interesting take on the prompt. Is it possible to love and hate an author for their words at the same time? LOL Very well done on a tough subject.

@Pinkcookie

Love love love the imagery of her tears creating a beautiful garden. And well done combining the two prompts. I didn't even think about that when I picked them.

@AnnaLund2011 - Second Place

I have somewhat mixed feelings about this one, but the positives far outweighed anything else. I love the imagery of her dancing and singing and keeping her smile even after whatever happened. And the mixed feeling of her being all she wants to be, all she can be is interesting. It left me wondering whether those walls are permanent or whether she’ll ever let anyone in. While I appreciate pulling Samhain in because of when this flash fic happened to fall, I actually think the reference to it detracted from the piece as a whole. That being said, I love the way the rest of it spoke to me.

@ShadesofPurple4

Oof. That feeling in your gut when you just know something is wrong and different and that the heartbreak is coming after you’ve finally been brave enough to open up. You took me through that entire arc of a relationship. Well done!

@Billi

Awwwwww… I loved the HEA in this. I could imagine how painful her regrets would be. Lovely job.

@hummingbirdFF - Honorable Mention -

Gah. Owie but I really liked that you were able to combine the two prompts – something I didn’t even consider when I picked them. I felt the anticipation and then the despair when it was not to be. Nicely done!

@ChocoMG2112

Holy crap… so hot!!! And I loved this “Her presence enveloped me and I felt like I was coming home.”

...

Congratulations @moonlit__girl!

Thank you to @suebee0619 for judging, and to everyone who participated.

Leave your entry as a comment - include your word count, and your twitter handle if you have one.

Probably good practice to reference any source material, too.

FYI - entries that exceed (or are under) the word limits will not be considered by the judge.

Also, I've had a few questions lately regarding the submission of more than one entry. Yes, you may submit more than one flashfic. I'm going to say a maximum of two (2) entries though. Furthermore, they're not to be continuations, or related to each other in any way -- they need to be completely separate, stand alone entries.

Monday, October 28, 2013

If you’re blocked, keep writing. Write the passage you’re blocked on from a different POV. Write a letter to your character, asking them why they’re messing with you. Write a f***ing shopping list—just keep writing.

2. The first and last books you fell in love with?

The first book I remember ever love, love, loving was The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. Reading it holds some really great memories for me, and it was the first time that I truly felt that I’d entered another world.

The last book would have to be the Divergent series...although I haven’t quite finished Allegiant yet...

3. What's happening outside the nearest window?

Not much—it’s dark.

4. There's a rubber stamp mark on your hand. What does it say?

This too shall pass.

5. Suppose you could travel to any place in time and history. When and where are you going?

I’d like to go to Sandhurst, Victoria, in January 1857. That date would mark the one-year anniversary of my ancestors’s arrival in Australia.

My great-great-great…(insert a few more greats) grandmother came here with her husband and young family for the same reason many did—they were chasing gold. During the months-long trip, her infant child died and was buried at sea. She lost a couple more children in their infancy, but went on to have others. She Cornwall and arrived in the heat of the harsh Australian summer, from what I can tell, she was a remarkably resiliant woman. I’d love to know, and tell, her story.

@MissWinkles - HONOURABLE MENTION: Ooooooh...he sounds all kinds of intriguing. I want to know his secrets, and I want to know what happened with the passage of time. I also kinda want him to dream about me, too ;-)

@ladylibre - I loved the cadence of this. Each passage was like a breath. I found myself right there—with him—as he watched his love sleep. This was a really lovely nod to canon Edward. Really lovely!

@AnnaLund2011 - This was like a brief, momentary glimpse into two lives. I think it was a great explanation for some of the reasons people might get tattoos, and an interesting use of the prompt. I loved the emotion attached to the words—I really felt it.

@honeybeemeadows - THIRD PLACE: I LOVED this. I could see the words scrawled on skin, and if I thought about it hard enough, I could even feel the press of the ballpoint. Emotive and beautiful and…love.

@suebee0619 - FIRST PLACE: This brought tears to my eyes and made my chest go flutter-flutter-clench. I’m not sure if it was the way you described the depth of her despair, or the hope that bloomed when her savior came...but you hit your target. Beautiful, heartwrenching, yet hopeful all at once. (I just read it again. Yep. Tears.)

@jdifrans - SECOND PLACE: It’s amazing how another person can help heal the scars we draw into ourselves. Insecurity and self-doubt can be such such a damaging beast, but never underestimate the power of human touch. I hope with all of my cells for them, too.

@missthundercunt - HONOURABLE MENTION: I’ve sat here for some time, reading and re-reading this and trying to find the words to explain how I feel. I can’t do it. The visuals are just...and the feeling between the two of them...and...and...and…one word: powerful.

@jiffsimpson - This is so full of hope and trust. You’ve captured her hesitancy perfectly, and described so well the way she feels that his love has helped her heal. So much in so little words—really well done.

@bebeginja - HONOURABLE MENTION: This was almost like poetry to read. I love, love, love the literal imagery of the picture and how you’ve translated it into a reflection of love and trust. I just want to sit in this passage and read it over and over.

@Cloe_Marie - I’m so unsure of how to take this...I’m left with questions. It’s the questions that make me want to know more. Did she leave him for someone else? Or was she taken away in the cruelest way possible? This is just like the beginning hook of a longer story, and I’m hooked. This passage leaves me wanting more…

@ChocoMG2112 - This took me to another time and place, and it feels magical and dark and mysterious. It's amazing what you've done with so few words- I seriously felt like I'd been transported.

Leave your entry as a comment - include your word count, and your twitter handle if you have one.

Probably good practice to reference any source material, too.

FYI - entries that exceed (or are under) the word limits will not be considered by the judge.

Also, I've had a few questions lately regarding the submission of more than one entry. Yes, you may submit more than one flashfic. I'm going to say a maximum of two (2) entries though. Furthermore, they're not to be continuations, or related to each other in any way -- they need to be completely separate, stand alone entries.

Friday, October 18, 2013

My husband once told me to write whatever satisfies my soul, whatever gives me peace in the context of that story. I think about that every time I get stumped or frustrated with myself, and it gives me courage. And makes me all gooey toward my Hubby.

2. The first and last books you fell in love with?

The first book I remember falling in love with was Little Women. The last one would have to be Twilight.Though I’ve read the saga several times, the first novel captured my heart and hasn’t let go.

3. What's happening outside the nearest window?

The trees are still against the dark autumn sky; a stray cat scurries across the street.

4. There's a rubber stamp mark on your hand. What does it say?

“Go to bed.” It's late, and I really should!

5. Suppose you could travel to any place in time and history. When and where are you going?

I am going to Nazareth to seek Jesus. I love my current relationship with him, but seeing him in the flesh on earth? There are no words.

@magtwi78 -

FIRST PLACE!

I loved this story from its first line, a line I read several times on its own before continuing with the story. It gave me pause and filled me with questions--Who is he? Who is she? And what does it mean that she was first? And that she lost him to her sister and has found a way to be happy about it? Whew! I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, I adored this story from the first line to the last. Bravo!!

@femme_mal -

SECOND PLACE!

Beyond the fact that you write so well, this story captured my heart for its poignant power. Your word choice was flawless, creating a clear, evocative picture of this grieving grandpa and the precious girl for whom he now lives. The final line is full of hope, making me smile bittersweetly. Bravo!

@TinsleyWarren -

THIRD PLACE!

I was not expecting a father-daughter pairing… what a sweet, pleasant surprise! I’m a Daddy’s girl from waaaay back, so this story touched my heart in a special way.

@Sherbert20111 - Your story has some of my favorite phrases of the week: “... two figures twirling in fits and starts…” “... fighting the sense that her ears are on fire and her tact has left the building.” Very evocative. You have quite a way with words!

@PinkCookie - You really capture the anguish and heartache one feels when a beloved pet dies. God bless the woman in his life for her thoughtfulness, and I hope his new little Aggie brings years of joy to his broken heart :-)

@jdifrans - This right here… “I am everything I never wanted to be” … is a story in and of itself. So layered, potent, and poetic. And as she explains their coming together, how she knew it was one-sided but hoped her love would be enough, my heart breaks. Well done.

...

Congratulations @magtwi78!

Thank you to @ladylibre for judging, and to everyone who participated.